201807.27
0

Bob Hope USO lands in posh new home at LAX to serve America’s service men and women

by in News

  • Disabled Marine Juan Gonzalez carries US flag to new headquarters with USO president Bob Kurkjian. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Cafeteria with seating area and televisions. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Sound
    The gallery will resume inseconds

  • Volunteer Dave Evans greets a family at info desk. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Soldier has a coffeee and makes call. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Media room shows films all day for a place to unwind. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Soldiers relax and make call among big screen televisions. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Letters from WWII soldiers adorn online access room where soldiers can facetime with family. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Reggie Chappelle, left, and Sam Ingram are the first soldiers to sign in at new facility. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Soldiers enter the new facility. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Navy petty officer Justin Scarborough and his family are recognized as first official guests of new USO facility by president Bob Kurkjian. The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Workers prepare to cover signage at old USO facility.The Bob Hope USO moved their headquarters at LAX to the historic Theme Building Friday July 27, 2018. The USO offers military members and their families a place to relax,eat, and use online services while passing thru LAX.
    (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)

  • Comedian and actor Bob Hope entertains a large crowd of American service men at the airstrip in Munda, New Georgia, on Oct. 31, 1944 during World War II. File phto

of

Expand

Bob Hope himself would likely have saluted – and said “thanks for making new memories.”

The USO center that bears his name moved into sharp new quarters on Friday at Los Angeles International Airport. USO officials and volunteers,  members of the armed forces and lots of L.A. dignitaries marched into the ground level of LAX’s Theme Building on Center Way.

“The men and women of our armed forces put their lives on the line to protect us every day — they deserve a warm welcome when they come home, and when they’re traveling through our airport,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a news release. “This beautiful new facility opens a new chapter in the rich history of the Bob Hope USO at LAX, and I am proud to see it open its doors today.”

At more than 7,00 square feet, the new center is  twice the size of the airport’s former USO near Terminal 3, with more room to offer more services to active military men and women – and their families.

“We are proud to open the doors of our iconic LAX Theme Building to our service members and their families, as the new home of the Bob Hope USO,” said Deborah Flint, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in a news release. “This renovated facility provides the Bob Hope USO an incredible space that reflects progress on our commitment to creating a world-class airport experience for all of our guests.”

The center includes a tribute to Hope, who for decades devoted his time to entertaining American troops in the U.S. and abroad, during times of war and peace alike.

The facility includes a snack bar, dining room, private family rooms, movie theater TV lounge, family video-connection rooms, an outdoor pavilion and more. Services are provided free to service members 24 hours a day all year ’round, staffed by more than 250 volunteers.

Information: bobhopeuso.org.